Plitvice With Boat And Train

Set out from Zadar on a 10-hour day trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park. The tour includes a boat and a train ride as part of the visit to the lakes.

Overview

This is a full-day trip from Zadar to Plitvice Lakes National Park, built around roughly four and a half hours inside the park plus a boat crossing and a forest train ride. The bus ride out takes about two hours, with a stop at a local café along the way. A local guide leads the walk through the Upper and Lower Lakes and points out the best viewpoints along the wooden boardwalks.

The route covers both the lakes and the big waterfall, Veliki Slap, before the return drive to Zadar. The electric boat crosses Kozjak Lake in about twenty minutes, and the panoramic train runs through the forest afterwards. Both rides come with the park visit rather than being sold separately.

There is a bonus at the end: a guided walking tour of Zadar's Old Town, which runs at 6:00 PM and can be joined on any day of the stay, no reservation needed. The trip suits travellers with moderate fitness, since the park portion involves around six miles of walking on uneven ground. It is a long day, roughly ten hours in total, so it works best for people who want the park's main sights covered in one organized outing rather than planning it themselves.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet in ZadarCheck in at the operator's office on Ul. Alesandra Paravije 5, arriving 15 minutes before departure. Pickup at your accommodation applies only if the Small Group option is selected.
2. Bus to PlitviceAir-conditioned coach ride lasting 2 hours, with a 40-minute break at a local café along the way.
3. Guided park tourAround 4.5 hours of guided sightseeing through the Upper and Lower Lakes, the boardwalks, and the viewpoints, ending at Veliki Slap, Croatia's tallest waterfall.
4. Boat and trainA 20-minute electric boat cruise across Kozjak Lake and a panoramic electric train ride through the forest, both included with the visit.
5. Bus back to ZadarReturn coach journey of about 2 hours, dropping off at Ul. Alesandra Paravije 5.
6. Old Town walk, optionalA 1.5-hour guided walking tour of Zadar's Old Town, optional and free to join at 6:00 PM on any day of the stay. Meet in front of Novi Cafe beside the Roman column at Trg Petra Zoranića.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points worth knowing before booking this trip.

• Fitness and pace. The listing puts the walking at around six miles on uneven surfaces and recommends a moderate fitness level. One reviewer described the pace as reasonable, and another found that an afternoon start helped avoid the biggest crowds. Expect a full day on your feet, not a gentle stroll.
• What to wear. Plitvice runs colder than Zadar, so the listing recommends bringing warm clothing. Comfortable shoes matter most, given the boardwalks and uneven ground. Weather can also close off parts of the park, so check conditions before you set out.
• Food and drink. Meals and drinks are not included. The schedule builds in a 40-minute café break on the drive out. Bring anything you might want beyond that.
• Entry tickets. National park entry is not part of the tour price and is paid in cash on the day. Budget for this before you leave Zadar, since card payment is not mentioned anywhere in the listing.
• Group feel. One reviewer praised how the guide kept a large group together for the whole trip, while another appreciated time together balanced with time to explore alone. A different traveller noted the WhatsApp group used for coordination. The standard option meets at the office rather than offering hotel pickup.
• The Old Town bonus. The Zadar walking tour is separate from the park day and can be taken on any evening of the stay at 6:00 PM. No reservation is needed. It is optional, so you can skip it without affecting the day trip itself.

Common issues. The honest drawbacks are the length and the walking: ten hours total, with about six miles on uneven ground and a moderate fitness level recommended. Park entry must be paid in cash on the day, and food is not covered. Some reviewers said clearer, earlier instructions on the route and meeting points would help. Weather can also restrict parts of the park, and swimming in the lakes is not allowed.

Common Questions